Blyth Valley MP Ian Levy has moved to reassure residents over the future of the planned Britishvolt gigafactory at Cambois in Northumberland after it was revealed the company is holding emergency talks to keep its plans afloat.
The factory has been hailed as transformative for South East Northumberland, which suffers from high levels of deprivation and a lack of well-paid jobs - but the "negative global economic situation" and recent market turmoil saw the project stall.
It is hoped the project would create 3,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs when it reaches full production capacity. However, reports over the weekend said the company was holding talks with a number of potential investors after potential supporters backed out.
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Despite the issues, Mr Levy remains confident the gigafactory will be built.
He said: "I have been a big supporter of Britishvolt building their electric vehicle battery gigafactory on the Blyth Estuary since the opportunity first emerged. Many, many millions have already been invested by British Volt and I am briefed that the management team are pursuing several opportunities that would give them the financial support they need to move the project into its next phases.
"The UK automotive industry’s need for a battery gigafactory remains and the site on the Blyth Estuary is still the best in the country with a large area, excellent power connectivity, a deep-water port, strong workforce supply and easy access to the national road network.
"I am in close and regular contact with the Company, the Government and the Council and will continue to do all I can to bring these jobs to our area."
Coun Alex Wallace, who represents Cambois on Northumberland County Council, said local people remained hopeful and reiterated the importance of the proposals to the area.
Calling for more Government support, Coun Wallace said: "Considering the amount that has been spent on Covid and on energy support, why doesn't the Government, if they really want it to happen, step in?
"Two or three million for a few months isn't a fortune to to create real wealth in the south east of Northumberland. It's a small price to pay and it would send a very strong message.
"It's not just important for Cambois, it is important for the North East and the United Kingdom. The Mini has moved production and if they're not going to manufacture batteries here, who is going to build cars here?
"Everybody here is taking it quite philosophically. We're reading the papers instead of Facebook. People are accepting what has been said."
The Financial Times has reported that Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motors is among firms involved in talks which could include the sale of a minority stake or a full takeover, claiming Britishvolt faces collapse if it can’t secure fresh funds before Christmas.
However the company declined to comment on the speculation over the weekend.
Speaking earlier this week, Britishvolt company spokesperson Ben Kilbey said: “Company policy is to not comment on market speculation. The board of directors supports the company’s latest business plan which has been refocused and sharpened given the negative global economic situation and continues to have full confidence in the senior management team.
“We are actively working on several potential scenarios that offer the stability needed to enable us to carry on building a strong and viable British battery cell R&D and manufacturing business.
“It is important that Britishvolt is a success: not only for the circa 300 employees currently working for the company, but also for the many thousands of jobs that we intend to create at our gigaplant site in Northumberland and our R&D and scale-up facilities in the West Midlands, and for the future of the UK auto industry and the country’s target to become net carbon zero by 2050. The ‘Britishvolt effect’ is of huge strategic importance to UK plc. and its standing on the global battery map.”
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